PM opens World Interfaith Harmony Week

AMMAN (Petra)-- The Ministry of Awqaf and Islamic Affairs on Monday held a celebration to mark World Interfaith Harmony Week, observed annually during the first week of February.

In September 2010, King Abdullah proposed the launch of the World Interfaith Harmony Week at the UN General Assembly, which adopted the initiative.

Reaffirming that "mutual understanding and inter-religious dialogue constitute important dimensions of a culture of peace", the UN General Assembly proclaimed "the first week of February of every year World Interfaith Harmony Week between all religions, faiths and beliefs".

The week serves as a voluntary occasion for people to express their own religious teachings about tolerance, respect for others and peace, in hopes of bringing people together across the globe.

During the ceremony, held at the King Abdullah I Mosque and attended by Prime Minister Abdullah Ensour and other officials , Minister of Awqaf and Islamic Affairs Abdul Salam Abbadi said the King had offered a gift to humanity through this proposal which was made clear during a speech to the UN General Assembly in October 2010 by His Royal Highness Prince Ghazi Bin Mohammad.